Rubén Blades

Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna (born 16 July 1948), is a Panamanian musician, singer, composer, actor, activist, and politician, performing musically most often in the salsa, and Latin jazz genres. As a songwriter, Blades brought the lyrical sophistication of Central American nueva canción and Cuban nueva trova as well as experimental tempos and politically inspired Son Cubano salsa to his music, creating "thinking persons' (salsa) dance music". Blades has written dozens of hit songs, including "Pedro Navaja" and "El Cantante" (which became Héctor Lavoe's signature song). He has received 21 Grammy Award nominations, winning twelve of them, along with twelve Latin Grammy Awards.

His acting career began in 1983, and has continued, sometimes with several-year breaks to focus on other projects. He has prominent roles in films such as Crossover Dreams (1985), The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), The Super (1991), Predator 2 (1990), Color of Night (1994), Safe House (2012), The Counselor (2013) and Hands of Stone (2016), along with three Emmy Award nominations for his performances in The Josephine Baker Story (1991), Crazy from the Heart (1992), and The Maldonado Miracle (2003). He portrayed Daniel Salazar, a main character on the TV series Fear the Walking Dead (2015–2017; 2019–2023).

In 1994, Blades managed to attract 17% of the vote in a failed attempt to win the Panamanian presidency. In September 2004, he was appointed minister of tourism by Panamanian president Martín Torrijos for a five-year term.

He made his U.S. debut with the Pete Rodriguez orchestra in 1970 on his album De Panamá a New York and among his most successful albums are Rubén Blades y Son del Solar... Live!, Amor y Control, Caminando, Salswing!, Son de Panamá, Tangos, Canciones del Solar de los Aburridos, Buscando América, El Que la Hace la Paga, Escenas, Salsa Big Band, Metiendo Mano! and his famous album Siembra released in 1978. In addition, he has collaborated with different artists such as Usher, Elvis Costello, as a soloist and as a guest Michael Jackson, Luis Miguel, Julio Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Juan Gabriel, Laura Pausini, Shakira, Thalía in the Spanish version of the song "What More Can I Give" written and translated by Blades as "Todo Para Ti". He has also participated in several productions by different Latino artists such as "Almost Like Praying", "Color Esperanza 2020", and "Hoy Es Domingo", among other tracks.

Family history and early life Blades was born in Panama City, Panama. He is the son of Cuban musician and actress Anoland Díaz (her real surname is Bellido de Luna), and Colombian Rubén Darío Blades Sr., an athlete, a percussionist and a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in Washington, D.C. His younger brother, Roberto Blades, is also a musician. His mother's great-uncle, Juan Bellido de Luna, was active in the Cuban revolutionary movement against Spain and was a writer and publisher in New York City. Blades's paternal grandfather, was thought to be Rubén Blades, an English-speaking native of St. Lucia who came to Panama as an accountant. However, in 2025 it was revealed on Finding Your Roots that Blades is actually the grandson of poet Ricardo Miró. Blades says that the man he thought was his grandfather had come to Panama to work on the Panama Canal, as he states in the song "West Indian Man" on the album Amor y Control ("That's where the Blades comes from") (1992). He explains the source and the pronunciation of his family surname, which is of English origin, in his web show Show De Ruben Blades (SDRB). Additionally, on Finding Your Roots it was revealed that Amelia Denis de Icaza, the first Panamanian woman to publish her poems, was the aunt of Ricardo Miró, making her Blades's great-aunt.

In Blades's early days, he was a vocalist in Los Salvajes del Ritmo,

Career 1970s–1980s Blades earned multiple degrees in political science and law at the Universidad Nacional de Panamá and performed legal work at the Bank of Panama as a law student.

Blades' first recording in the US was the solo album De Panamá a New York, with the Pete Rodriguez Orchestra, He then returned to Panamá and finished his degree.

In 1974, he moved to the United States, initially staying with his exiled parents in Miami, Florida, before moving to New York City where he began working in the mailroom at Fania Records. Its most famous song was "Pedro Navaja", a song inspired by the 1928 song "Mack the Knife"; it tells the story of a neighborhood thug who is killed by a street walker who knows him (he stabs her, she shoots him, they both die, a bum finds them, and takes their belongings). The song inspired a 1980 Puerto Rican musical, La verdadera historia de Pedro Navaja, and a 1984 Mexican film, Pedro Navaja, neither of which had Blades' involvement. Blades wrote and sang a sequel song, "Sorpresas", (surprises) on his 1985 album, Escenas, which revealed that Pedro had survived the incident and was still alive.

Blades became dissatisfied with Fania and tried to terminate his contract, but was legally obliged to record several more albums, released after his departure.

His 1981 song "Tiburón" (with Willie Colon) protested against military interventions by the United States (the metaphorical "shark" in the song's title) in Latin America. It received little airplay in the US because of its controversial political message, with Blades being accused of sympathizing with communism and becoming particularly unpopular with the Cuban community in Miami.

In 1994, he mounted an unsuccessful Panamanian presidential bid, founding a center-left party called Movimiento Papa Egoró (whose name comes from the Emberá language and means "Mother Earth"). The album that followed this experience was titled La Rosa de los Vientos. He also made award-winning music such as Pena and Amor y Control, won the 1997 Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Performance, and all its songs were by Panamanian songwriters, recorded using all Panamanian musicians. In 1996, Blades along with Son Miserables performed "No Te Miento (I Am Not Lying [to you])" for the AIDS benefit album Silencio=Muerte: Red Hot + Latin produced by the Red Hot Organization. In 1997, Blades headed the cast of singer/songwriter Paul Simon's first Broadway musical, The Capeman, based on a true story about a violent youth who becomes a poet in prison, which also starred Marc Anthony and Ednita Nazario. His many film appearances include The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), The Two Jakes (1990), Predator 2 (1990), Mo' Better Blues (1990), Color of Night (1994), and Devil's Own (1997). He also guest-starred in an episode of The X Files titled, "El Mundo Gira," playing immigration agent Conrad Lozano. In 1999, he played Mexican artist Diego Rivera in Tim Robbins' Cradle Will Rock. In the 2003 film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, starring Johnny Depp, Antonio Banderas, and Willem Dafoe, he played the role of a retired FBI agent.

Blades's 1999 album Tiempos, which he recorded with musicians from the Costa Rican groups Editus and Sexteto de Jazz Latino, represented a break from his salsa past and a further rejection of commercial trends in Latin music. Ironically, the album won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. Blades was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Even more eclectic was the 2002 album Mundo with the 11-member Editus Ensemble and bagpiper Eric Rigler, which incorporated instruments from around the world. Mundo won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album, and was also nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The same year, Blades guested on world music artist Derek Trucks' album, Joyful Noise. In 2003 he followed Mundo with a web site free-download project. Blades was presented with the Founders Award at the 2005 ASCAP Latin Awards. In 2004, he put his artistic career on hold when he began serving a five-year appointment as Panama's minister of tourism. Beginning in June 2007, however, Blades turned some of his attention back to his artistic career, presenting an online TV show titled Show de Ruben Blades (SDRB) on his website.

In November 2005 he received an honorary degree from the Berklee College of Music.

In May 2007, Blades was sued by his former bandmate Willie Colón for breach of contract. This led to a series of suits and countersuits that lasted over five years, resulting in decisions in Blades' favor. In the middle of 2008 he took a leave of absence for a mini-tour in Europe, backed by the Costa Rican band Son de Tikizia. When his government service was completed in June 2009, he reunited the members of Seis del Solar for the 25th anniversary of Buscando América in a tour of the Americas.

2010–present

In June 2011, Blades was given the Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award by ASCAP and WhyHunger.

In 2014, Blades was the closing act for the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Mexico.

In 2015, Blades' album Tangos won a Grammy award for Best Latin Pop Album.

Blades expressed his interest in making another run for president of Panama in 2019.

In 2015, Blades was cast in the regular role of Daniel Salazar in the AMC post-apocalyptic drama Fear the Walking Dead, a companion series to The Walking Dead. Blades first appears in the second episode "So Close, Yet So Far".

In 2017, Blades performed as one of the featured artists for Puerto Rico in Lin-Manuel Miranda's charity single "Almost Like Praying" to raise money for victims of Hurricane Maria.

In September 2018, Blades was appointed as NYU Steinhardt Dean's Inaugural Scholar-in-Residence at New York University.

In 2021, Blades was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for his contributions to Latin music and activism.

In 2024, Blades received the Doctor of Music honorary degree at Princeton University in New Jersey, USA.

Lincoln Center in NYC named Blades its Visionary Artist for the 2024-2025 season.

In 2025, it was discovered on Finding Your Roots that Blades is the newly discovered grandson of poet Ricardo Miró.

Personal life Blades holds a Law degree from the University of Panama and an LL.M in International Law from Harvard University.

He is married to singer Luba Mason.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1983 The Last Fight Andy 'Kid Clave' 1985 Crossover Dreams Rudy Veloz Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead 1987 Critical Condition Louis Sting: They Dance Alone (Cueca Solo) Unknown Video short Fatal Beauty Detective Carl Jimenez 1988 The Milagro Beanfield War Sheriff Bernabe Montoya Homeboy Doctor 1989 Disorganized Crime Carlos Barrios The Lemon Sisters C.W. 1990 Mo' Better Blues Petey 1990 The Two Jakes Michael 'Mickey Nice' Weisskopf Predator 2 Danny 'Danny Boy' Archuleta Heart of the Deal Unknown 1991 The Super Marlon Ruben Blades: Camaleon Unknown Video short 1993 Life with Mikey Angie's Dad Uncredited 1994 A Million to Juan Bartender Color of Night Lieutenant Hector Martinez 1995 Scorpion Spring Border Patrolman Sam Zaragosa 1996 Grampa Doctor Eres mi Canción Singer Video short Al compas de un sentimiento Singer 1997 The Devil's Own Officer Edwin 'Eddie' Diaz Chinese Box Jim 1999 Cradle Will Rock Diego Rivera 2000 All the Pretty Horses Hector De La Rocha 2002 Assassination Tango Miguel 2003 Once Upon a Time in Mexico FBI Agent Jorge Ramirez Imagining Argentina Silvio Ayala Spin Ernesto Bejarano 2005 Secuestro express Carla's Father 2009 Spoken Word Cruz Sr. 2011 La siguiente estación Benito Short film 2012 Safe House Carlos Villar For Greater Glory – The True Story of Cristiada President Calles 2013 The Counselor 'Jefe' 2016 Hands of Stone Carlos Eleta 2021 Red Pill Rocky

Television Year Title Role Notes 1989 Dead Man Out Ben Television Film Cinemax Sessions Unknown Episode: "Latino Sessions" 1991 The Josephine Baker Story Count Giuseppe Pepito Abatino Television Film Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special One Man's War Horacio Galeano Perrone Television Film Crazy from the Heart Ernesto Ontiveros Television Film Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special 1993 Miracle on Interstate 880 Pastor Beruman Television Film 1997 The X-Files Conrad Lozano Episode: "El Mundo Gira" Falls Road Luis Juega Television Film 2000–2001 Gideon's Crossing Dr. Max Cabranes Main role: 20 episodes (Season 1) 2002 Resurrection Blvd. Martin Episode: "Verguenza" 2003 The Maldonado Miracle Cruz Television Film Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in a Children/Youth/Family Special 2015–2017; 2019–2023 Fear the Walking Dead Daniel Salazar Main role (Seasons 1–3; Seasons 5–8)46 episodes

Discography

Studio albums De Panamá a New York (1970) Barretto (1975) The Good, the Bad, the Ugly (with Willie Colón) (1975) Metiendo Mano! (1977) Larry Harlow, La Raza Latina-A Salsa Suite. (1977) Siembra (1978) Bohemio y Poeta (1979) Maestra Vida: Primera Parte (1980) Maestra Vida: Segunda Parte (1980) Canciones Del Solar De Los Aburridos (1981) The Last Fight (1982) El Que la Hace la Paga (1982) Mucho Mejor (1984) Buscando América (1984) Escenas (1985) Crossover Dreams (1986) Agua de Luna (1987) Doble Filo (1987) With Strings (1988) Nothing but the Truth (1988) Antecedente (1988) Caminando (1991) Amor y Control (1992) Joseph & His Brothers (1993) Tras La Tormenta (with Willie Colón) (1995) La Rosa de los Vientos (1996) Tiempos (1999) Mundo (2002) Cantares del Subdesarrollo (2009) Eba Say Ajá (with Cheo Feliciano) (2012) Tangos (2014) Son de Panamá (2015) Almost Like Praying (2017) Salsa Big Band (2017) Medoro Madera (2018) Paraíso Road Gang (2019) Salswing! (2021) Salsa Plus! (2021) Swing! (2021) Pasieros (2022) Parceiros (2022) Fotografías (2025)

Live albums

Siembra Live (1980) Doble Filo (1986) Rubén Blades y Son del Solar... Live! (1990) Todos Vuelven: Live, Vol. 1 (2011) Todos Vuelven: Live, Vol. 2 (2011) Una Noche con Rubén Blades (2018) Siembra: 45º Aniversario En Vivo (2023)

Compilation albums

Poeta Latino (1993) Poetry: The Greatest Hits (1994) La Leyenda (1994) The Best (1996) Greatest Hits (Música Latina) (1996) Sus Más Grandes Éxitos (1998) Best of Rubén Blades (1998) Salsa Caliente de New York (2002) Una Década (2003) La Experiencia (2004) A Man And His Music: Poeta del Pueblo (2008) Greatest Hits (2008) Dos Clásicos (2011) 10 de Colección (2014) Serie Platino (2014) Salsero Original (2016)

Awards and nominations Grammy Awards

Latin Grammy Awards Year Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2000 Record of the Year "Tiempos" 2003 Album of the YearMundo Best Contemporary Tropical Album 2009 Best Short Form Music Video "La Perla" (with Calle 13) 2010 Song of the Year "Las Calles" Best Singer-Songwriter Album Cantares del Subdesarrollo 2011 Best Salsa AlbumTodos Vuelven Live (with Seis Del Solar) Best Long Form Music Video 2012 Best Salsa Album Eba Say Ajá (with Cheo Feliciano) 2014 Album of the YearTangos Best Tango Album 2015 Album of the YearSon de Panamá (with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta) Best Salsa Album 2017 Record of the Year "La Flor de la Canela" Album of the YearSalsa Big Band (with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta) Best Salsa Album 2018 Best Traditional Tropical Album Medoro Madera (with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta) 2019 Album of the Year Paraíso Road Gang Song of the Year "El País" 2020 Best Tropical Song "Canción para Rubén" (with Carlos Vives) 2021 Person of the Year Best Salsa Album Salsa Plus! (with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta) Album of the Year Salswing! (with Roberto Delgado & Orquesta) Best Salsa Album Siembra: 45° Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022), Rubén Blades and Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

At the 4th Annual Latin Grammy Awards, Mundo also received a nomination for Best Engineered Album, which went to engineers Walter Flores, Oscar Marín, Daniela Pastore and Edín Solís.